As the Summer Session comes to an end and we begin to look forward to the Fall Session. This year brings many exciting changes to the Bakersfield APA.

The World Pool Championships in Las Vegas has come to and end, the teams that made the journey had a great time. It’s a cool experience, walking through the three tournament rooms seeing a sea of what seems like never ending tables. One of my favorite times during the event is Open Ceremonies standing there with players from all over the world, hearing the National Anthem, and officially kicking off the event. Bakersfield APA players are already looking forward and working towards securing their spots to the 2025 Pool Players Championships in late Spring and/or next year’s World Pool Championships next August.

Overall Calendar changes for Masters, Ladies and Jack & Jill. These events are moving away from the WPC event in August and moving to the PPC event in late April early May. What does this mean for us locally? For Ladies and Masters – the Fall session is the “big” session for these formats. While Ladies teams qualify from each session, this process will begin in the Spring Session and end in the Fall Session. For Masters, the Fall session will be the mandatory session to send teams. City Qualifiers for these formats will be earlier in the year (January/February) and teams will head to Vegas in April/ay each year. The Jack & Jill Qualkifer will be ealrier in the year as well, with the winnign team joining the PPC event in April/May each year. 

Top Shooter/MVP – we have already begun to take the top 10 players as alternates (use to be tops 8). This change giving more players the chance to draw into Top Shooters. Not only does the Top Shooter Tournament give players a chance to earn a little extra cash, players also have the opportunity to try and qualify for Single Regionals with no cost to them.

The percentage of teams using the Scoring App for league play is growing each session. We have several divisions in which almost all the teams are using the app on a regular basis. If you have not tried it out yet, take a moment and see how easy it is. Congrats to Shannon Ritter, she won the Spring Scorekeeper drawing and received a few nights hotel accommodations during this year’s World Pool Championships.

Patch Drawing – for those players that choose to do so, have had the opportunity to bypass receiving the patch and be entered into a drawing. For the Summer Session 4 players will walk away with $50.00 each. For the Fall Session we will draw 6 players, each winning a 2025 Membership. If you want a chance at one of these memberships, fill out the blur patch form on the night of the accomplishment and check the line at the bottom to be put in for your chance.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out! We are looking forward to an amazing Fall Session (which kicks off September 3, 2024). If you have not already turned in your team’s registration, be sure to get it turned in right away. Have Fun – Meet People – Play Pool!!